Serving combination



Jan. 11, 1949.

' B. HQPPE SERVING COMBINATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 1944INVNTOR 9o/vs Hoppe E? u W/ ATTORNEYS Jan. 11,1949. B HOPPE v SERVINGCOMBINATION Filed Aug. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 9o/Vlr Hap/0e' TTORN EYS5 SheetsfSheet 5 f oaf a INVENTOR 30' 5er/.s Hoppe BY Z WT REYS `Ian.l1, 1949.

B. HoPFL-zA SERVING COMBINTION Filed Aug. 2, 1944 Patented Jan. 11, 1949SERVING o oMBINA'rIoN Boris Hoppe, Gardens, N. Y. Application August 2,1944, serial N01l 547,735'

1 This invention relates to a serving combination having cooperating xedand movable parts. It also relates to a server of unique design andexceptional utility.

The problems of a hostess in serving guests i with food at a distancefrom the kitchen are not small. In general the problems are not solvedexcept by the personal labor of the hostess or her servants, who mustmake frequent and time consuming trips to the kitchen to bring in thevarious dishes which constitute a meal.

The inconvenience attending service is considerable when the distancetravelled is merely from a dining room to an adjacent kitchen, and

it becomes very great when, as in a garden party,

It is an object of this invention to make a server combination whichdoes not occupy additional kitchen space, which is the right height forloading and the right height for serving, which takes food to the tablehot or cold, as desired,

which brings back used table ware concealed, theheight of which isautomatically adjusted to its needs, the shelves oi-which may beautomatically aligned, and which is of such simple construction that itcan be manufactured and sold at a reasonable price.

The objects of the invention are accomplished generally speaking by aserver combination having xed and movable parts, of which the fixed partforms a permanent kitchen installation and of which the movable part`may be Wheeled whereever service is desired.

Further objects of the invention are' attained by providing the serverwith a top, and optionally with shelves, which is automatically raisedand lowered by the xed part of the combination'so that it is of thecorrect height for loading and ofthe correct height for serving. Otherobjects of the invention are accomplished by providing the server withshelves which are automatically 'movable to give free access to shelvesof diierent f 2 jects are accomplished will be better understood fromthe details of the specication which follow.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a planview of a server constructed inaccordance with the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partly in section of the server shownin Fig. l with the top in lowered position.

' Fig. 3 is aside elevational view, partly in section showing the Xedand movable parts of the server combination in cooperating relation, theserver top being in elevated position.

Figj 4 is a fragment showing the shelf latch which controls the positionof the shelves during the elevation and retraction of the server top.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view partly in section of one side of theserver.

Fig, 6 is a section on line 6 6 of Fig. 7.

Fig. '7 is a section on line 'I-l of Fig. 6.

' Fig. 8 shows the server of Fig, 6 with top lowered;

Fig. 9 shows the top being raised and the shelf construction.

In the drawings I0 is a server top which may have the form of a flattable, `but which is shown as provided with' compartments II,. I2 and i3which are :illustrated as covered by insulation 'I5 to maintain thetemperature of hot or cold food. Compartment I3 may have a heatingelement 2d operated by a switch I4 which may be connected Vto aV sourceof current by -a cord and plug 2l.

-member Il) rests at one end upon uprights 23 and is hinged at 29 toshelf 3l) which is in turn hinged at 3l tofthe uprights 28; l

Arms 40 are pivoted at M to longitudinal members 21 and at 42 to legs22. On a cross member '45 between longitudinal members 2l is mounted Vapair of retainer Wheels 45.

U-shaped members 4l, 48 brace the legs 22, 24 and form channels toreceive slidable shelves 49 and 50. In the uprights 28 are slots 5I. Onthe bottoms'of the shelves are slidable pins 52 which, ivhen'inan'eXtended position, engage the slots 5l vand maintain the position ofkthe shelves with relation' to the yupriglits 28. By

retracting thepinEZ a shelf can be :fixed in its v stalled. 'As shown'it is a three sided Jsta-lli for the server. Therear Wall is shown at Bin the drawings, and is provided with a projecting ele-` ment 6i havinga cam surface 62 upon-.,whicl-nfhe,

lever I8 rides to open the valve l1. Projecting from the wall 6D is adrain B3 which mayvheecone nected to the sewer. Also projecting,inoxnsthe wall is a faucet 64 which' may be connected to hot and coldwater and serves to supply-*these liquids to respective compartments ofthe server.

'.@ngtne side. upper andlowerztlacksiand were eachside-cf :the fixed'.part cisti-iecombination engage the two Wheels 2.3; -ithe ,Server iSpushed intoV place; andshelrrgto:Y se :the .entire .movable section to@the Vheight of :zthe adacent stovef .top-for other; eworking; surface.The re- .t-ainerfwheels-AG are caughtiin aina-ir offenclosed tracks Eland prevent the movable-r-Sectiornfrom `tilting the support. Trackss'Hl-onf-pppdsitea sides A of the-fixed part w of fthe-ff .combination4receive Yrollers`A Il; atth-efireaiedgeiofgthe topfan'dialso help toraise the movable section.

The invention operatesffasxffol-lows': Withthe ym'cvablesection -in.raised position; the f-tep rthere-v of isrlevelY withiand; provides an?additional. work- .ing surface:adjacentvthestove or` 'other :Workingsurface. In this positiomthecoversfof.:then compartments H, 12 and l 3can be .removedandthe compartments i filled Vwith fgfood stuffs. The.shelvesvmaycbe lledswithiplaftes and fpodstuifs which do not requiremaintenance of temperagti-1re; short, fthezentire serviceifon.;amealfmay be put on the server at once so that. oniyjoneitrip .to fthedining roem. or tothe` point; of; serviice-will er end of thedependingshelf r3=is grasped, and fpulled. i A comparatively .slightnpull fisfisuicient to draw `the vserver awayfrom-thexednpartmf the;combination. As the server --isedrawnsffor- :Ward the :trackn 65 :overthea-upper; parts; offetliieI Wheels- :tends to ,throw thelwheels'. 23ebackward and down-.- while .atY the-:same timefrthe" retainer wh-eelsAtand the. wheels 2-3 suppOr-t: therweight of the rear endeofxithewserver.`'The. vertically :movable` section oa-the. serverpivots` abouti theshelf- 3U- and thel armsf 48: andfassumes theposition'- show-n'ini-Fig.; 2f; at: which itsuheight has been-reducedvfrom thatfofa-stove tozthefiideal height forserving at table; andthegsizeyoi-ts.-top has beenvmaterially f and ben'eiciallyfr increased. In= thisconditionnthe-server is gfsnpported entirely by' wheels 23fand =2G.an'dfmayi be wheeled with e. minimumiof'ferfortwtothe pointof-serv-iee;

If it is desired; `the-'latch 52uon the upper shelf :maybe positionedslot 5 le ofmthe uprights `28 so that the shelf assumes ,thepositioxrshown in Fig. f2' when the verticallyemovablewsection is respecttoeither thevmovable ,or :the supporting V section cascdesir-.ect yMaximum ,accessrfto fthe 4shelves is had when thevs. are; displaced:-withA respect `tofeaoh.other, .as shown :Figi 2.

#When the server-fis moved; awavrffromritsvcooperatingxcd-part-the leverdtzshdessdcwrnthe 4 cam 62, seating the valve l1. This furnishes adouble seal for the compartment. This compartment may be partly lledWith hot Water, or with a cooling medium in order to maintain the 5temperature oi food or drinks therein, or to receive used dishes at theend of the meal. The valve and stopper form a double seal which cannotbe carelessly opened by the removal of the stopper. The position of thelever I8 is out of lbltherway and;irnnormaljcircumstances, the leverwouldnot be observed or "tampered Y with.

On its return to the kitchen, service pantry, or

'the point where the cooperating fixed part of i, thecembination islocated, the wheels 23 of the 1g;Vv server are aligned with the tracksand a very y---'moderate-pu`sh will elevate the vertically movablesection toitsraised position. At the same time the valve I8 is openedand the compartments are placed.- beneath faucet 64. The dishes may beWashed in the large compartment, if desired, .andxthe ent-ire apparatuscleaned and made ready :for -itsfne'xtzuse q In Vthazgposition.it formspart .onthe .-f stoveptop. ori -of a yWork table.

In Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are shown modications '.25:of-= my rinvention.these iigures the curved :uprightsffZ-allfffreplace.the legs- 212 anduprights 2B .'ofthe `formyof the :invention first disclosed, and-provideribetter vaccess .to the shelves the grooves `Sillon .the-insideof .the -uprights 2.86 replace the sotsstg; andwthef top isIhinged at 'the front to angle-irons 80 byghinges 2f9|lqand 3H). TheVshelf Blfis pivotedrto theftoprby hinges vESI (Fig. 9): and-isfsupported int-its:raisedl position by' notched bar '-292whiohfslidesfinaholei-293vin the frontof the v.35 .serverfzbetween thecompartments. This con- .structiong-gives- :fr-.eer accessI to'V theshelves and preventsmnintentionatdumping of the pivoted shelf.

'Amongthenumerous advantages of vmy inven- 40 tion;- are therprovisionciaserver combination fhavingp,automatic features which renderit ideal fiorhomefor fior restaurant use. cAnother advan- ,tagev of-1theinvention is a: server having.-A automatically -adjusted; height ,thatmakes itY ideal for loading. lfmus'e-.a-s awork table,.and for serving..Anothergadvantagewof' 'the invention, `is the arrangement.-layN which leasy f access to. theV shelves provided.,

@As emany, apparently widely differenty embodiment/sfofJ this inventionlmay be made# without fdeparting. rfrom fthe-spirit and scope thereof, itis:tofbse-.understoodthat I-'dofnot limit myself to thefppecicembodimentsI thereof exceptfas de- ;ned inthe-appended claims.

I claim:

i 15in a device of` ithecha-racter describedgjthe combinationofafmova-bie server having asec- -ltinn itheneoiadapted vto be' movedvertically with respect to. .said server,` said section comprising HYazi-impr'portiony and legs supporting said top portion; verticallydisposed supportmembers swingattachedvtdsaid; tcpporton and adapted totbcswung from a; first position at 'one side of said top portion to; asecond position underneath said .ft-,opfportiom f-means pivota-llyconnecting said fsupportmembersawith a pair of said legs, saidipivot'alzconnecting-means being operative in response to a.forceactingrthereonto exert pressure -on said :section whiley coincidentiypermitting hrm/ ement of said-support ymembers from said frstapositiontons'aidvsecond'position, and means copperative'with said pivotalconnecting means directing the pressure on 'said' section upwardiyirrxorderitofraise.said section. l '.ZxfIma senvingicombinationcomprising; afmovable server, the combination of a top portion havingcompartments therein and legs supporting said top portion, one pair oflegs having wheels secured thereto; said server having support membersdisposed adjacent one side of said top portion and movable relatively tothe top portion; link means pivotally secured to said support membersand to said wheels; means responsive to a moving force acting on theserver for directing through said link means at least a portion of saidforce against said wheels to move said top portion in a generally upwarddirection;- and means for restraining said support members to permitsaid top portion to move upwardly relatively thereto.

3. In a server having a top portion and supporting legs therefor, thecombination of vertically disposed support members movably secured tosaid top portion; said top portion and legs comprising a verticallymovable section of said server; means pivotally connecting said supportmembers with said legs and operative to swing upwardly at the legconnection in response to force applied thereto in a directionsubstantially towards said top portion; and means for directing a forceagainst said pivotal connecting means in said direction in order toelevate said movable section; said support members being movable from aposition at one side of said top portion to a position below said topportion coincidently with the elevating of said movable section.

4. A serving combination comprising stationary inclined tracks and amovable server having a section thereof adapted to be moved verticallywith respect to said server, said section comprising a top portion andlegs supporting said top portion; wheels on a pair of said legs adaptedto traverse said tracks; vertically disposed support members swingablyattached to said top portion and, through link members, to said pair oflegs and adapted to be swung relative to the top portion in response tomovement of said wheels along said inclined tracks.

5. A serving combination comprising a stationary part and a movableserver adapted to be attached to and detached from said stationary part;said stationary part having outwardly extending inclined tracks; saidserver having a top portion and vertically disposed support membersadapted to be swung from one side of said top portion to a positionunderneath said top portion; wheels on the server connected to said topportion and adapted to traverse said tracks; and means lpivotallyconnecting the support members with said wheels and adapted to swingduring passage of said wheels along said inclined tracks.

6. A serving combination comprising a stationary wall part and a movableserver adapted to be attached to and detached from said wall part; saidserver having a section thereof adapted to be moved vertically upwardlyto a loading position as the server is being attached to the wall part,said section comprising a top portion and legs supporting said topportion; said server having a shelf hinged to said top portion;vertically disposed support members swingably attached to said shelf andto a pair of said legs and adapted to be swung underneath said topportion as the server is being attached to the wall part; and means forattaching the server to the wall part.

'7. A serving combination comprising a stationary part and a movableserver adapted to be attached to and detached from said stationary part;said stationary part having outwardlyvextending inclined tracks; saidserver having a section thereof a-dapted to be moved vertically upwardlyas the server is being attached to the wall part, said sectioncomprising a top portion and legs supporting said top portion; saidserver having vertically disposed support members adapted to be swungfrom one side of said top portion to a position underneath said topportion; means pivotally connecting the support members with said legsand adapted to thrust upwardly on said legs as said support members areswung underneath said top portion; and means on said server fortraversing said tracks and coincidently thereto elevating said section.

8. In a server having a top portion and supporting uprights therefor,the combination of a shelf member swingably attached to said topportionand to said uprights; said top portion and uprights comprising avertically movable section of said server; wheels on said server adaptedto rest on the floor; means for pivotally securing said uprights to saidwheels; said uprights being adapted to be swung from a position levelwith said top portion to a position below said top portion, and saidwheels being adapted to be swung, coincidently with the movement of theuprights, from a position on the floor to a position above the floor,whereby said movable section is adapted to be raised to a height greaterthan its previous height.

BORIS HOPPE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the rile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 356,938 Hayward Feb. 1, 1887490,127 Sigafoos J an. 17, 1893 956,619 Bennett May 3, 1910 1,107,678Loudon Aug. 18, 1914 1,170,712 Trombley Feb. 8, 1916 1,256,211 Dempseyet al Feb. 12, 1918 1,298,185 Dodson Mar. 25, 1919 1,483,850 KaufmanFeb. 12, 1924 1,582,806 Videtta Apr. 27,' 1926 1,924,505 Long Aug. 29,1933 2,094,522 Blake Sept. 28, 1937 2,319,581 Brownlee et al May 18,1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 91,917 Germany Aug. 18, 1896470,960 France June 29, 1914

